Approval rates
The approval rates for Thomas C. Gray reflect a significant body of work, with 3,244 lifetime decisions recorded since 2016. When looking at the most recent reporting period, Thomas C. Gray approved 74% of cases, which sits 8 points above the New York Varick office average of 66%. These figures are based on the latest available SSA data. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Gray's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Since 2016, the approval trend for Thomas C. Gray has remained relatively stable, with yearly rates generally fluctuating between 70% and 82%. The most recent data shows a rate of 74%, which aligns with the judge's long-term history of decision-making. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the past decade.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Gray's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
About the New York Varick hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office serves you throughout the New York region. This office maintains a diverse bench of 10 judges on record, with a recent office-wide approval rate of 66%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file. You can see the New York Varick Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The New York Varick hearing office currently has 10 judges on record since 2016, with 5 judges reporting in the latest SSA period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 48% to 85% on a lifetime basis. Because SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, you cannot choose your judge. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
In the latest reporting period, Thomas C. Gray approved 74% of cases, which is 8 points higher than the New York Varick office average of 66%. While this indicates a higher-than-average approval rate, every case is unique. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards required by this judge.
The approval rate for Thomas C. Gray has remained steady, with yearly performance consistently landing between 70% and 82% since 2016. This consistency suggests a predictable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how your evidence will be viewed, an attorney can help you review your file for potential gaps.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random, workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges at the New York Varick hearing office. Because you cannot control your assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and may hear testimony from you and vocational experts. Thomas C. Gray will evaluate whether your impairments meet the criteria for disability under Social Security Administration guidelines. An attorney can help you prepare for the questions you are likely to face during this process.
A lifetime approval rate of 77% for Thomas C. Gray provides context on past decisions, but it is not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the strength of your medical documentation and testimony. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before your hearing date.